Young gun Sarah Wilson says she learned plenty from last year’s battle against the men at the Queensland Open and now she’s eager to take them on again.
The 20-year-old became only the second female to compete at the event in 95 years after qualifying in 2020, when she went on to miss miss the cut by just one stroke after rounds of 74 and 72.
The promising amateur is primed for another tilt on her home course.
“I learnt from last year that you can’t really put too much focus on the men playing around you,” she said.
“They obviously have strength as an advantage off the tee, but I now know to just work on what I’m doing and see where I end up each day.
“It’s a huge opportunity, not just be a woman in the field, but to gain tournament experience in such an important event.”
Wilson returns to the event, having won the South Australia stroke play title in September.
And she won’t be the only female amid the field this year, with Sydney’s Steph Kyriacou also set to take part.
She’s coming off her first year as a professional, claiming rookie of the year honours on the Ladies European Tour.
“A lot has changed. I’ve learnt a lot and I think that I know my game a lot better than I used to,” Kyriacou said.
“It’s a great opportunity to play against the men and I’m just going to have to figure out ways of scoring as I get closer to the green because obviously we can’t drive it like they do.
“But I’m really keen to compare myself against some of the boys that I know and do my best to be competitive all week.”
Therese Magdulski, GA’s general manager of events and operations said they “are really excited to see more women contesting the event this year.”
“With a huge priority for Golf Australia being to increase opportunities for women and girls, this is a taster for our plans for a women’s Queensland Open into the future.”
The Queensland Open will be held at Pelican Waters from March 11-14, as part of the PGA Tour of Australasia.
